"Poverty pay and abuse of workers on farms and plantations linked to UK supermarkets", 10 October 2019 

Poor pay and harsh working conditions are common on farms and plantations that supply tea or fruit to global supermarkets including Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons…. [R]esearch…highlights how the supermarkets’ relentless drive to cut costs…is fuelling poverty, abuse and gender discrimination in their supply chains.

Interviews with workers…in Assam revealed that cholera and typhoid are prevalent…, workers receive [government] ration cards…and women…regularly clocked up 13 hours of back breaking work [daily]. Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s confirmed that they source…from companies whose suppliers include the estates visited…Lidl source tea from the Assam region. Walmart neither denied or confirmed links.

On fruit farms in North East Brazil, women with children…were forced to rely on relatives or the government for support… … [and reportedly suffer] allergies and serious skin diseases… [after] using pesticides… Lidl and Sainsbury’s, and previously Tesco and Morrisons, [were supplied by these farms]. Walmart neither denied or confirmed links. Oxfam’s Ethical Trade Manager stated: “…relentless pursuit of profits continues to fuel poverty and…abuses. Supermarkets must…end exploitation, pay…a living wage, ensure women get a fair deal and be more transparent…”.

Oxfam also found that [whilst] supermarkets are taking the largest share of the price paid by shoppers…, a survey in the Philippines, Ecuador, Costa Rice, Peru and the US…adds to…evidence that poor wages and abuse are rife across the food sector.